2017 Château De La Chaize Brouilly, Beaujolais, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Made from a selection of the estate’s best vines, grapes are hand-harvested in small vented crates, which prevents grapes from getting crushed and prematurely oxidizing. Each parcel of vineyard is carefully demarcated according to soil type and aspect and then vinified separately to preserve the parcel’s unique qualities. Whole-cluster fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Carbonic maceration and pumping-over techniques are practiced to preserve the fruit and freshness of the wine. The wine is aged 12 months in large wooden vats (foudres).

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

François de La Chaize d’Aix, steward of Lyon, purchased the land known as La Douze at the foot of Mont Brouilly, in southern Beaujolais. He hired France’s most esteemed architects at the time to build the château and assigned André Le Nôtre, famed gardener to the king, who later developed the gardens of Versailles, to build the picturesque gardens around Château de La Chaize. The winery remained with the Chaize family for the next two centuries, preserving one of the largest and most historic properties in the Beaujolais region.

Château de La Chaize was purchased by Christophe Gruy in 2017. Christophe is also the managing director and president of Groupe Maïa in Lyon, a real estate and hospitality group. As a jewel within their hospitality sector, Groupe Maïa is committed to operating Château de La Chaize with the utmost care and excellence that this historic property deserves. Leading the restoration and environmental projects at Chaize is Boris Gruy, head winemaker and nephew of Christophe. A plant specialist, Boris is implementing an ambitious HVE (High Environmental Value) certification and transitioning the entire estate to organic viticulture, with a goal of becoming biodynamic.